J.J. Redick: Efficiency Machine. Eddy Rivera discusses Redick's breakout 2009-10 campaign at Magic Basketball: "Redick scored 1.23 points per possession (league average was 1.08 points per possession). Not bad at all. This had a lot to do with the fact that Redick shot very well from the three-point line and free-throw line, while taking great care of the ball. Because threes and free-throws are two of the most efficient shots in basketball, Redick is optimizing his output on offense and not wasting many possessions in the process. That is efficiency, folks."

Tom Ziller on the virtues of summer international play, as illustrated by Omri Casspi: "International basketball is the window to the essence of a player's potential. Look at Omri Casspi, star of an Israeli team competing in EuroBasket qualifiers. Casspi had a mixed-bag rookie season ... But in Europe this summer, Casspi has revealed so much more. Casspi has been a simply explosive scorer at the unfamiliar power forward position. In Saturday's win over the very good Montenegro, Casspi scored 30 points in 33 minutes on an array of deep shots and drives. The Kings thought they were drafting a potential poor man's Hedo Turkoglu. During Casspi's rookie season, he looked like he'd instead be a bigger Bobby Jackson. Playing for Israel? He looks like the second coming of Peja Stojakovic. If the Kings are paying attention, they will say new and exciting ways to feature the Israeli in the Evans-led offense next season."

If nothing else, Trevor Ariza is a fascinating player to evaluate. Ariza is somewhat of a moving target. There's a constant set of properties most players carry with them, but not Ariza. The Ariza playing the 3 in the Lakers' triangle bore little resemblance to the Ariza in Orlando. And the Ariza in Houston prior to the Kevin Martin deal played nothing like the Ariza who flourished after Martin's arrival. What will Ariza look like playing alongside Chris Paul in New Orleans?

Andre Iguodala continues to play well for Team USA, and his top-shelf defense has been his most valuable asset. Andrew of The 700 Level was at Madison Square Garden for the U.S. vs. France game: "Perhaps most tellingly, 'Dre was also the court for almost the entire first half, leading the team in minutes by far before checking out for good during the third-quarter line change. It's emblematic of the trust that Coach K, who has done nothing but rave about Iguodala since camp started, has in our guy to play defense, make the extra pass and just be a leader that he continues to lead the team in minutes."